Question

Which one of the following is not used for Ex situ plant conservation?

• A. seed banks
• B. field gene banks
• C. botanical gardens
• D. shifting cultivation

Answer 1

The correct option is D

shifting cultivation

The correct option is D.

The explanation of the correct option:

1. When plants and animals are conserved outside of their original habitat then it is known as Ex-situ conservation.
2. Situ means Home.
3. Shifting cultivation is also known as zoom cultivation.
4. The natives of the forest area clear a land piece and use it for agricultural purposes for a few years until it loses the soil vigor, and the fertility of the soil is declined.
5. Once this happens they move to another place for doing the same practice again.
6. It is a kind of deforestation and not conservation.

The explanation of the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Seed banks are the conservation site where seeds are stored for conserving species as seeds can stay in a dormant stage for a longer span until it gets favorable conditions.
2. As plants are conserved by this method outside their habitat, it is a type of Ex-situ conservation.

Option B:

1. Gene banks stores genes in form of germplasm to conserve the species.
2. As conservation of species achieved outside of habitat through gene bank, it is s type of Ex-situ conservation.

Option C:

1. Botanical gardens are scientific gardens where a large number of different species are grown on a particular landscape and conservation of those species is achieved.
2. Plants are conserved outside of their habitat in botanical gardens, hence it is also a type of Ex-situ conservation.

Final answer: Shifting cultivation is not used for Ex situ plant conservation.